The Cabins at Alert Bay

The Cabins at Alert Bay Gilakas'la - Welcome to Your Home Away from Home on culturally & historically rich Cormorant Island

🌸 A little community love behind the flowers on the boardwalk.If you have walked Alert Bay's boardwalk lately and stoppe...
09/02/2026

🌸 A little community love behind the flowers on the boardwalk.

If you have walked Alert Bay's boardwalk lately and stopped to admire the flowers, the Gumboot Ganders deserve the credit! This wonderful group of ladies volunteer their time and effort to keep the boardwalk blooming, and The Cabins at Alert Bay is proud to support their work by donating bottle deposits to help fund the plantings.

It is a small contribution to something that makes a big difference to the feel of the village, and a great example of the kind of community spirit that makes Alert Bay such a special place to visit and to live. 🌺

A special mention to Margaret Harvey, one of our own Cabins team members, who is among the dedicated volunteers giving their time to keep things beautiful.

Next time you walk the boardwalk, take a moment to appreciate the effort that goes into it.

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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🌅 In Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw creation stories, T'łisala - the Sun - is believed to be a man who came from the heavens to earth t...
08/25/2026

🌅 In Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw creation stories, T'łisala - the Sun - is believed to be a man who came from the heavens to earth to become the first ancestor to a number of Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw clans. One legend says he “walks across the heavens” each day from east to west wearing abalone-shell earrings, and as he travels his daily path, his earrings catch the light and give daylight to the world.

Watching T'łisala complete his journey for the day over Broughton Strait in Alert Bay can be jaw-dropping.

How to see it: The front road (Fir St.) along the waterfront is where you want to be. Face west and you will have an open view across the Strait as the sky turns. On a clear summer evening the colours are nearly impossible to describe. Bring something warm for a cool evening on the beach, and give yourself time to take it all in - you’ll be glad you did.

Source: U'mista Cultural Society, Living Tradition - The Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw Potlatch on the Northwest Coast. www.umistapotlatch.ca

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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🎣 Did you know you can fish right off the dock in Alert Bay?The waters around ‘Ya̱lis (Cormorant Island) are rich with s...
08/19/2026

🎣 Did you know you can fish right off the dock in Alert Bay?

The waters around ‘Ya̱lis (Cormorant Island) are rich with salmon, halibut, rockfish, and more, and one of the simplest pleasures of a stay here is dropping a line off the dock with a calm summer breeze. You don't need a boat or a guide, although there are many great fishing charters available. All you need is a valid fishing licence, a bit of gear, and some patience.

A saltwater fishing licence is required and can be purchased quickly and easily online through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans website. It's worth checking the current openings and species restrictions for the area at the same time, as regulations can change through the season.

➡️ Purchase your licence at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

It is a genuinely lovely way to spend an evening on the island, with the strait stretching out in front of you and the forest behind. Whether you catch anything or not becomes beside the point. 🌿

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

📸Photo Robin Quirk, Robin’s Eye Photography
Featured in North Island Eagle, August 2026

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☀️ A great getaway with all the comforts of home at The Cabins at Alert Bay.Each of our 14 cabins is fully equipped with...
08/14/2026

☀️ A great getaway with all the comforts of home at The Cabins at Alert Bay.

Each of our 14 cabins is fully equipped with everything you need to settle in and feel at home. A fully equipped kitchen means you can cook your own meals, grab supplies from ShopRite Grocery on your way to checking in, or keep things simple with takeout from one of the local spots in town. The electric fireplace takes the edge off a cool evening, the private deck is yours to sit on as long as you like, and the comfortable beds with cozy duvets are waiting when you are ready.

BBQ and laundry facilities are available on site, high speed internet keeps you connected if you need it, and the covered outdoor pavilion is a great spot to gather if you are travelling with family or a group. Everything is taken care of so you can focus on actually enjoying where you are. 🌿

Room types range from a cozy single cabin to a two bedroom option that sleeps up to six, so whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, there is a cabin that fits.

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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🌲 While being a small island, Alert Bay has a lot going on, and our Cabins are the key to a great home base to explore f...
08/07/2026

🌲 While being a small island, Alert Bay has a lot going on, and our Cabins are the key to a great home base to explore from.

You could pick up a pamphlet from the Visitor Centre and experience Alert Bay on foot. We recommend starting at the U'mista Cultural Centre, one of the most significant Indigenous cultural centres in Canada and an absolute must on any visit, then stroll into town along the boardwalk past beautiful views, heritage buildings, and the marina. If you keep walking past the town square and shops, you will reach the 'Na̱mg̱is Burial Ground, one of Alert Bay's most visited and photographed points of interest.

If the beach is more your thing, Alert Bay's shoreline is quiet, beautiful, and continuous, exactly the kind of scenes that invite a long, unhurried walk.

If you want to get out on the water, whale and wildlife watching tours operate through the summer season. The Johnstone Strait is excellent for wildlife viewing, ask our staff about how to book.

In the mood for forest? The Ecological Park and its trails are worth a visit for anyone wanting to get into the trees and breathe it all in. One thing that might surprise you: there are no predators on this island, so you can explore with complete peace of mind.

On Saturdays throughout the summer, cultural experiences are not to be missed. Drop-in on a guided tour at U'mista Cultural Centre in the morning, then head to the Gukwdzi (Big House) at 1:00 PM for a traditional Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw dance performance by the T'sasala Cultural Group (Find admission prices online). Both are memorable and authentic in ways that are hard to put into words.

Alert Bay is the kind of place that rewards slow travel. Stay a few nights and let the island truly reveal itself. 🐋

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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🏅 What a weekend on the water!!A huge congratulations to everyone who took part in this year's Alert Bay 360 - 11.5 kilo...
08/06/2026

🏅 What a weekend on the water!!

A huge congratulations to everyone who took part in this year's Alert Bay 360 - 11.5 kilometres around Cormorant Island is no small feat, and every single participant should be proud. The energy on the island this BC Day long weekend was something special, and it was uplifting to be part of it. 🛶

To all the paddlers who stayed with us at The Cabins, thank you for making us your home base for the weekend. We loved having you here, this is exactly the kind of weekend that makes Alert Bay the place it is.

Congratulations to all the participants, organizers, volunteers, and everyone who made the trip for this incredible annual event. We hope to see you all back on Cormorant Island soon, whether it's for the 360 next year or just for the love of this place. 🌊

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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One of the sweetest parts of a summer visit to Alert Bay grows on every corner. 🫐🍇🍓🍒Trailing blackberries, known in Kwak...
07/28/2026

One of the sweetest parts of a summer visit to Alert Bay grows on every corner. 🫐🍇🍓🍒

Trailing blackberries, known in Kwak̓wala as dusdak̓wa (fruit) or dusdak̓wa'mas (plant), grow throughout Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw territories and are found right here in Alert Bay. If you are visiting in late summer, keep your eyes open and your hands free, and maybe even a bucket or a cup nearby - you will likely stumble across them on a walk.

The trailing blackberry is a vine with curved thorns, jagged leaves that turn red in the fall, and berries that ripen to a sweet, edible black. It thrives in logged and disturbed areas, which is why it is so abundant along roadsides and in areas that have been cleared over the years.

For the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw, this plant has long been more than just a snack. The fruits were eaten fresh or dried into cakes for later use. The vines and roots were boiled with thimbleberry leaves to make a medicine used to relieve vomiting and treat diarrhea. The fruit also carries a deeper cultural meaning, representing the dog salmon, as the trailing blackberry is the last fruit to ripen just as the dog salmon is the last salmon species to arrive to spawn. 🐟 *

It is one of those small, beautiful connections between land, food, and culture that makes this place so special.

If you are staying at The Cabins this summer, ask our staff about the best berry spots to find on your walks around the island. 🌿

*Source: The Living World, Plants and Animals of the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw

👉 www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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🔥 Fire up the grill, the BBQ is all yours.One of the little things that makes a big difference when you're away from hom...
07/25/2026

🔥 Fire up the grill, the BBQ is all yours.

One of the little things that makes a big difference when you're away from home is having space to actually relax and eat well. At The Cabins at Alert Bay, guests not only have a full kitchen, you also have access to a BBQ under our covered outdoor pavilion, a great spot to cook up a fresh catch, share a meal with family, or just slow down with good food and good company, whatever the weather. 🌲

Grab supplies from the Shoprite grocery store, and cook up your summer favourites in the beautiful outdoors. After a day of whale watching, exploring the U'mista Cultural Centre, or hiking the trails around the island, there is something especially satisfying about cooking outside with a view. If you’re lucky you might even pick up fresh seafood from a local fisher!

👉 Book your stay and make yourself at home: www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

🔎For more information on trip planning please visit: www.alertbaycabinsbc.ca/plan-your-stay

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📍 Point of Interest: U'mista Cultural Centre. Their Summer Programs are in full swing!If you are coming to Alert Bay in ...
07/19/2026

📍 Point of Interest: U'mista Cultural Centre. Their Summer Programs are in full swing!

If you are coming to Alert Bay in July or August, U'mista is one of the first places we would point you toward. Importantly, the Centre stands as a testament to the resilience and revitalization of Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw culture, housing the Potlatch Collection - ceremonial belongings that were confiscated by the Canadian government during the potlatch ban. It is one of the most significant Indigenous cultural centres in Canada and one of the most moving places you can visit on the BC coast.

"U'mista" means the return of something important - and you feel it from the moment you walk in the door. 🌿

This summer, U'mista is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM through September 7, 2026. Summer programs run Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and are free with admission.

This year's programming includes Kwak̓wala language, cedar weaving, art, beading, storytelling, traditional medicines, and more - Follow .Cultural.Society on Facebook and on Instagram for updates on tours and programming!

📍 1 Front Street, Alert Bay
📞 250-974-5403
🌐 www.umista.ca

Book your stay at The Cabins and make U'mista part of your visit.
🌐 www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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🌲Looking for tips on what to do on your trip to Alert Bay? Our staff would love to help you plan your stay.One of the be...
07/16/2026

🌲Looking for tips on what to do on your trip to Alert Bay? Our staff would love to help you plan your stay.

One of the best things about staying at The Cabins is that our team knows this island inside and out, and we love helping guests make the most of their time here. Whether it’s your first visit, or 50th, there is always something new to discover ☀️

Here's a taste of what Alert Bay and the surrounding area has to offer:

🐋 Whale watching - Johnstone Strait is one of the best places in the world to see orcas, humpbacks, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Summer is prime season and there are local operators who can take you out on the water.

🏛️ U'mista Cultural Centre - one of the most significant Indigenous cultural centres in Canada, housing returned potlatch treasures and sharing the living history of the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw people. An absolute must-visit. The museum at the Info Centre and Library is also well worth a visit.

🌿 Hiking and nature - safe forest trails, expansive beaches, and some of the best birding on the BC coast. Eagles, cormorants, herons, and more are part of the daily scenery here.

🎣 Fishing - the waters around Cormorant Island are rich with salmon, halibut, and more. Local knowledge goes a long way when it comes to finding the right spot.

🛶 Kayaking and paddling - the calm waters around the island are beautiful by kayak, with plenty of coastline to explore at your own pace.

🍽️ Local food and shops - pick up fresh groceries, browse local art, and take your time wandering the island. It may be small, but has a lot of stories to tell!

Not sure where to start? Give us a call - our staff are happy to point you in the right direction, share local tips, and help you put together a visit worth remembering. 🙌

📞 1-250-974-7900
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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390 Poplar Road
Alert Bay, BC
V0N1A0

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